Schloßbergplatz

Schloßbergplatz is a square located in the Inner City, which is the first district of Graz.Since 1929, the square has been named after the Grazer Schloßberg, which has a western flank that rises almost vertically.Schlossbergplatz is frequently misspelled, but it is important to note that the proper name has retained its “ß” despite the spelling reform.

The origins of Schloßbergplatz are closely connected to the medieval city fortifications of Graz.Since at least the 13th century, there has been a wall that extends from the Graz clock tower down the steep mountain slope to the Reinerhof, which is the town courtyard of the Rein Abbey founded in 1147. In this building, a Romanesque fortified tower has been preserved up to the present day.The wall continued its path to the west, leading towards the Mur.On the inner city side, it formed the end of a street without a gate, which has since been named Sackstraße.However, as early as the 14th century, there was a gate known as the “First Sacktor” that was breached in the wall. This breach allowed for the movement of traffic to and from the north.Subsequent illustrations depict the gate as being protected by a modest square tower featuring a hipped roof. Schloßbergplatz originated as a military space located in front of the city wall. This area was under the ownership of the sovereign and, as a result, private individuals were not allowed to construct buildings on it, despite the city’s continuous expansion.This also explains why the square has an elongated shape.

However, the city quickly outgrew its medieval walls. The Sackstrasse, which was already established in the 14th and 15th centuries, was expanded again in the 17th century. Additionally, new city gates were constructed at the ends of the Sackstrasse, known as the second and third sack gates. For more information, you can refer to the list of Graz city gates.The military function of the old, innermost sack gate gradually diminished over time.Following the destructive city fire in 1670, a multitude of new buildings were erected in the area.In 1676, a bastion was constructed on the river bank right outside the First Sack Gate. Originally named the Admonterbastei, it was later renamed the Ursuline Bastion.Over the centuries, the area gradually vanished due to various factors such as flooding, erosion, and, most notably, the construction of quay walls on the riverbank in the 19th century.The land acquired its more commonly known name after the construction of the Ursuline Convent in 1694.The Trinity Church, formerly known as the monastery church, is located at the western end of Schloßbergplatz. Around 1900, the old monastery building was transferred to the Graz school sisters, who then constructed a new building.The elongated post office, which is now commonly referred to as “Alte Münze” due to its later use, was constructed on the north side of Schloßberglatz in 1690.The Palais Attems, which was constructed between 1702 and 1716, stood out as the most magnificent new building of its time. It replaced six older town houses and was located at the intersection of Sackstrasse and Schloßbergplatz, marking the transition between the innermost part of the city.In 1705, the builder Ignaz Maria Graf Attems was granted permission to demolish the first sack gate.The owners of the houses surrounding the city had to provide compensation for the quarters that were lost by the city guard in the gate tower.

The name and practical use of the square underwent multiple changes until the 17th century.In 1625, it was officially designated as the Graz fish market. However, approximately 30 years later, the fish market was relocated to Kapaunplatz, which is located near the Franciscan monastery.The square was known as “Haffnerplätzl” in 1665, and its name was later changed to “Schlosserplätzl” in 1703.Subsequently, the name “Ursulinenplatz” gained widespread usage.The military function of Schloßbergplatz was lost, especially when the medieval city gate was demolished.The eastern section of the square, located to the east of Sackstraße, used to function as a private garden for the Reinerhof. Unfortunately, it is no longer accessible to the general public.

The construction of the “Kriegssteige,” a stair construction with viewpoints that leads up to the Schloßberg, played a crucial role in shaping the current form of the square.The initial considerations for constructing one were made approximately in 1903. During that period, the municipal council submitted an application for the city to purchase the property containing the Reinerhof garden, aiming to make it accessible to the public.A fund was established in 1911 to provide financial support for the construction project.Construction work commenced three years later, but experienced delays as a result of the First World War.On June 1, 1918, the path to the Schloßberg was opened with the help of the Infantry Regiment No. 27 pioneers and Russian prisoners of war. Their contributions were instrumental in creating the spectacular route. Despite numerous attempts to rename it, such as “Friedenssteig,” the official name of the path remains “Kriegssteig.” It is also commonly referred to as “Felsensteig” or, in reference to the forced laborers, “Russensteig.”In the year 1900, the Schloßbergplatz was expanded towards the west, resulting in the creation of a passage connecting the Palais Attems and the Trinity Church to the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai on the Mur.The square has been known by its current name since 1929.

During the Second World War, forced laborers constructed an extensive tunnel system within the Schloßberg. This tunnel system spanned 6.3 kilometers in length and had approximately 20 entrances. The tunnels provided around 12,000 square meters of usable space and served multiple purposes. They functioned as a command center, an air raid shelter capable of accommodating up to 50,000 people, and a hospital during the intense bombing raids on Graz.The air-raid shelters were dug from Schloßbergplatz, and the resulting debris could be easily disposed of in the Mur using a short route.There are two tunnels that can be accessed from Schloßbergplatz and are currently being used in a peaceful manner. One of the tunnels serves as an entrance to the Schloßberg lift, the Schloßberg slide, and the fairy tale train. The other tunnel goes all the way through the mountain and can be used as a convenient shortcut to reach the east side of the mountain.Access to the event center Dom im Berg is also available halfway there.

• Palais Attems Sackstrasse 17 – The palace was constructed between 1702 and 1716, replacing six town houses and the medieval city gate that previously occupied the site.The city palace in Graz is widely regarded as the most magnificent, and it served as the residence for the esteemed Attems family’s significant art collection.The building was looted during World War II and was later sold empty to the province of Styria by the Attems family in 1962.The opulent baroque wall and ceiling design of the palace has been carefully preserved. Currently, the palace serves as the home for various establishments, including the offices of Styriarte and the literary journal Manuscripts.
  
• Trinity Church – The pillar church was completed in 1704 and was built in the Italian Baroque style.The baroque interior, which is uniformly preserved, is particularly noteworthy.The former Ursuline convent that was adjacent to it was demolished around 1900. It was later rebuilt by the Graz School Sisters, who added a kindergarten and elementary school to the premises.
  
• Sackstrasse 20 – The Reinerhof, which was mentioned in 1164 as the Stadthof of Rein Abbey, holds the distinction of being the oldest documented building in the city.Several storeys of the masonry of a Romanesque tower have been preserved on the Schloßberg side.The Gothic one-pillar room is truly remarkable.The facade of the building today showcases elements inspired by the Renaissance and the Biedermeier period.
  
• Sackstraße 22 – The building was constructed in 1690 specifically for use as a post office. From 1756 to 1772, it functioned as a mint. The facade of the elongated complex is adorned with remarkable details. These include a double-headed eagle with a shield and the initials of Empress Maria Theresa above the portal. Additionally, the roof cornice features a multitude of uniquely designed grimaces, each individually handcrafted.
• Pigeon fountain – The Taubenbrunnen, created by artist Walter Ritter, was commissioned by the city of Graz and completed between 1947 and 1949. According to historical accounts, there is a story about Clementine van der Tauben, a member of the Ursulines, who is believed to have donated a draw well on the square. This draw well is said to bear a resemblance to the one mentioned.
• War path – From 1914 to 1918, a stairway with viewing platforms was constructed with the assistance of soldiers and Russian prisoners of war. This stairway consists of over 260 steps, providing a pathway from Schloßbergplatz to the clock tower. In 1928, an extension was made to the north along the rock face known as the “Jubiläumssteig”.
  
• Schlossberg tunnel – There are two tunnels that begin at Schloßbergplatz. One of these tunnels provides access to the Grazer Märchenbahn, the Schloßberg lift, and serves as the endpoint for the Schloßberg slide, which runs through the lift shaft.The pass grants access to the Dom im Berg event center and allows free passage to the east side of the Schloßberg above Karmeliterplatz.